Monday, October 6, 2008

Bring back the muppets

The Scotsman: Since Walt Disney bought Piggy, Kermit and crew in 2004, executives have struggled to figure out how to put them to work. Efforts in 2005 to rejuvenate the furry creatures created by Jim Henson sputtered as the Muppets g
ot lobbed between corporate divisions, and a new television series – a parody of America's Next Top Model called America's Next Muppet – died in planning.

The muppets are dying to be mashed-up-esized!
The muppets are bloody great. They were a staple of the 70s and 80s with great jokes that went over kids' heads, but hit the sweet spot with adults.
Disney has started to get on the right track by infusing muppets with popular cool brands- Jonas Brothers, Urban outfitters et al, creating the mix of retro+cool that I often refer to as a winner formula. People love to see their nostalgia of old reworked and reformed into modern day chic/entertainment. It also works with stuff that has low production value but high commitment to content.
But hey, it isn't hard with the right brands, or someone who knows what they're doing.

Muppets, such gold. I love how you can recognise who does what voices...

1 comment:

Poly Wanna Answer? said...

I saw a vintage AmEx Muppets commercial in a taxicab this week; they'd spliced the spot featuring Jim Henson and about 6 of the Muppets into a new commercial. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.